For Immediate Release
October 2018
National Community Oncology Dispensing Association, Inc. (NCODA) Announces
Oncology Pharmacy Technician Association (OPTA)
Cazenovia, NY – The National Community Oncology Dispensing Association, Inc. (NCODA) Executive Council is pleased to announce the establishment of the Oncology Pharmacy Technician Association (OPTA), the first professional association dedicated to supporting and encouraging the professional development of oncology pharmacy technicians.
Numerous technicians have already benefited from NCODA’s Pharmacy Technician Committee. The committee, which is comprised of close to 80 members, meets on a regular basis to discuss best practices, current issues, and many other topics within the field of oncology. OPTA, with the support of NCODA’s Executive Council will help set the standards for this important member of the medically integrated team [referring to all members of a patient’s care team involved in their treatment with oncolytic medications].
Current Pharmacy Technician Committee co-chair Carol Hemersbach, CPhT, from Arizona Oncology was appointed chair of the Oncology Pharmacy Technician Association. “Oncology pharmacy techs play an integral role in cancer care, and with the growth of oral chemotherapy agents, we need to empower and arm these technicians with the knowledge they need to provide quality care to cancer patients. The new OPTA will help us accomplish this,” Hemersbach said.
“Oncology pharmacy technicians are valuable members of the medical integrated team,” said Michael Reff, Founder & Executive Director of NCODA, when asked about OPTA and the timing. “We feel that there is a need to help further the education, training, and networking opportunities available for these technicians. The medically integrated team will benefit tremendously from this new Association,” Reff proclaimed.
“Our medically integrated pharmacy model could not run without our highly trained, dedicated oncology pharmacy technicians. Our pharmacists depend on the hard work they put in each and every day to help us deliver best in class clinical and distribution services to our patients. We are excited to support this new organization within NCODA,” says Ray Bailey, Pharmacy Director at Florida Cancer Specialists and NCODA Executive Council member.
Application for membership in OPTA will be available via the NCODA website (www.ncoda.org) starting November 5, 2018. For more information please email contact@ncoda.org.
